[nate_meurer]

You have inadvertently undermined your own argument using a perfect example. One of the most effective arguments in favor of gas taxes and road tolls is to mitigate the regressive nature of universal taxation for road building and maintenance. Because yes, "fixing the streets" is indeed a regressive tax burden for people who can't afford a car.

> not for policies that benefit average people more than low income people.

According to whom? And are you really satisfied to merely debate semantics?

[zarzavat]

I don’t accept that view of how taxation works. Taxes are levied to the extent that they are tolerated, and expenditure is made to the extent that it is demanded. Both are subject to independent political processes.

Imagine for the sake of argument that there was a bumper year for vehicle / fuel tax and the tax generated multiplies more revenue than expected. Would the money be spent on diamond encrusted highways or would it instead be spent on other areas that are more in need? Cars are taxed because they can be.